Chapter 258 – The Choice of the Leaf (2)

[Greeting.]

“Hello.”

[Is that all?]

A resounding voice fills the entire room.

The spot where the ash tree and Mary were planted was a space bathed in white light from every direction. These lights seemed to serve as a substitute for sunlight.

The soil on the floor was far from ordinary.
It was imbued with dense magical energy, making it appear that if one were to scoop up this soil with a trowel, it could be put to good use in many places.

[Is this why humans can’t do it? Who really just says hello when asked to greet?]

Occasionally, there are women whose voices possess an uncanny, childlike quality; Mary’s voice was strikingly similar.
In a positive light, it was a cute voice. From a negative perspective, it was a whining one.
Among the people I knew, Marronnier had the most endearing voice, and Mary’s was slightly younger-sounding than hers.

But while Marronnier’s voice was clear and pleasant to the ear, this one was strangely off-putting. Was it because he was a tree? He certainly didn’t live up to his age of twenty-eight.

I responded with an awkward smile.

“I apologize, I’m an inferior species, so there’s a lot I don’t know well in this area. If Mary teaches me well, I’ll do my best.”

One can swallow their pride many times over. If it helps me overcome this crisis, I’d even lick the roots. But I know that if someone is determined to tear another apart, they can find just about anything to criticize.

I learned that in the army. You’re a true soldier only if you can grumble for an hour over a single rank insignia.

“When did I say you could call me Mary? Is my name amusing to you?”

“No, not at all. It sounds like a lovely name.”

“Lovely? Ha, who are you to evaluate me?”

Just look at this. She clearly has experience tearing people down, doesn’t she?

Upon looking at her, she appeared like a pampered princess who grew up causing trouble for others. She wasn’t a tender flower nurtured within a greenhouse, but rather a living, breathing malignancy.

[You’re a cadet who has come to face trials, a cadet. Not a national treasure, nor a wooden person, but an inferior class cadet. But how can you have such a poor attitude from the very beginning? Are you insane? Or have you mistaken me for water?]

“I apologize.”

[Which academy did you graduate from? What’s your name?]

“It’s El Academy.”

[Ha, even El Academy has fallen quite far.]

Mary unleashed a torrent of profanities at me like a rapid-fire cannon. In situations like these, attempting to fight back is futile. Instead, one must bow their head humbly, clasp their hands together, and patiently wait for time to pass.

Of course, that doesn’t mean one should let their guard down. It’s necessary to stay alert, as one might receive a backlash by being asked whether they were listening and what was just said.

[This is why I despise humans; they lack basic decency. What’s your name?]

“My name is Lee Si-heon.”

[Lee Siheon? The name sounds terrible. Like a criminal.]

-Cluck.

[A lover?]

“…None.”

[I thought so. Anyone dating you must be an idiot.]

Humans, me, and lovers.
I thought to myself as I observed Mary, ruthlessly criticizing from every angle.

‘…I crave tofu.’

It’s not that I’m really craving it, but I understand my own cursing. However, it’s unbearable when she touches upon my lover. I lowered my head and remained silent.

Somehow, this too shall pass.

For this woman, as much as possible, I had no choice but to adapt to her taste using my own strength.

Not long after, Mary yelled.

[That’s enough.]

“Yes?”

[Go on.]

I didn’t face any trials or challenges yet. When she said that, I asked, dumbfounded. Then Mary screamed in a furious voice, so loud that I had to cover my ears.

[Be gone! I’m not in the mood to test you today!]

“…Understood. I will return at this time tomorrow.”

Just before departing, I bowed my head as humbly as possible and offered my farewell.

“Farewell.”

-Thunk.

I carefully closed the door, making no sound. The connection with the tree surprisingly persisted for a while, and I could faintly hear Mary’s voice from within.

[Ah, that’s refreshing.]

‘…That wretch is insane.’

And she’s the worst of them all—a misanthrope.

What should I do about her, this unlikable creature with her disagreeable mitochondria? I must seriously reassess the situation. Mary’s disposition is exceedingly harsh; her temperament is truly fiery. I’m not sure if it’s just toward me, but it seemed as though even her chloroplasts were tinged red.

‘She despises humans… She must have given a proper trial to that wooden man, Lim Jong-hyun.’

It’s evident that her fondness for me has plummeted to an all-time low.

“Hmpf.”

Swallowing my dry saliva, I found myself in a dilemma. What would it take to persuade that woman? There was a risk that acting too aggressively could lead to my elimination.

As I suspected, Mary was toying with me as much as possible, likely planning to eliminate me on the very last day. The thought process of such people was all too transparent. After all, garbage recognizes garbage.

– Thud.

At that moment, another door opened. A woman emerged from room 512. White tights, familiar blue hair with a slightly darker hue. The staff she held maintained the same glow I had seen before. On her oversized hat, reminiscent of a witch’s hat, hung large buttons.

As I stared at her, she eventually turned her head, and our eyes met.

“Ugh…”

Marronnier. The national tree of France. Yet, for some reason, when she introduced herself to me, she had claimed to be a student of the Manhattan Academy.

Entering a dreadful dungeon during the first trial and enduring a miserable situation, it was indeed a twisted fate.

“Ronie?”
“…I told you not to talk to me.”

Marronnier wore a reluctant expression as she faced me, blushing slightly as if recalling the previous events, and closed her eyes tightly. She then hurriedly passed by me.
It appeared as if she was trying her best to ignore me.

“How was the tree you met? Did it give you a trial?”
“Wouldn’t it be strange if it didn’t?”
“Well, it didn’t for me. I was just kicked out for being human.”
“……”

Marronnier, who had responded tersely, stopped in her tracks upon hearing my words.
The fact that I said nothing more, coupled with the absurdity of the situation I described, left her speechless.

“…You’re unlucky. Do your best, I guess.”

With that, Marronnier trudged away, the sound of her footsteps echoing behind her. I watched her retreating figure.
It was true that there was a one-on-one social gathering in the afternoon, so now was the only time to rest.

-The second trial, the choice of leaves.

Now that the number of cadets has dwindled significantly after the first ordeal, the foundation has organized a sort of gathering to foster camaraderie and lasting connections. If fortunate, this presents an opportunity for the cadets to meet and befriend Kookmok – a truly invaluable experience.

Held every day from 2 PM to 4 PM, the duration can be extended or shortened according to individual preference. Typically, over the course of two hours, it is customary to engage in conversation, sharing the hardships and emotional wounds from life as a cadet or hunter.

‘…Perfect timing to find the Flower.’

In all honesty, anticipation was building. Though not as adept at guided interrogation as a psychologist, there was hope that, with the right approach, it might be possible to unearth any suspicious elements.

However, now there was an additional concern. Observing Mary’s room, a bitter taste filled the mouth.

On the verge of elimination, the prospect of attending a gathering seemed bleak. A wry smile appeared while settling onto the bench. With ample strength, the trouble now lay elsewhere.

“It’s far too soon to give up.”

As always, I had to find a way.

* * * * * * * * *

Every day at 2 p.m.

A random meeting.
Conversations with individuals who could potentially foster friendships, and perhaps even become future colleagues.
Who knows? The ongoing encounters here might eventually lead to invaluable connections that could only be second to none.
In the spirit of that objective, and in order to fulfill the request to find Flower, I made sure to attend without fail.

“So.”

I tried my luck.
With Marronnier, whose face was flushed crimson before me.

“Didn’t you say not to talk to you, Marronnier?”

We sat across from each other at a round table, sharing conversation over tea and refreshments in the cozy room.

I playfully waved the paper I held in my hand, showing it off to her.

– Marronnier Blanche.

The name of the person I was meeting today was written on that piece of paper.

As much as she insisted her name was Ronye, she was hiding the fact that she was a national tree. She even claimed to be from Manhattan Academy. For some reason, she seemed to want to appear as an ordinary person. When the two of us were in the dungeon, embracing each other and doing unspeakable things, it seemed like we called each other by our first names. At that time, I was in a frenzy, so my memory was hazy. Marronnier was aware of that as well.

For her, today would be the day her secret was exposed.

“Don’t you have anything to say? Or, you don’t?”

“…Sigh. Geez, ugh! Seriously.”

Blanche slumped over the table, covering her forehead with her hand.

“…I’m incredibly unlucky.”

She muttered to herself, disheartened.

Marronnier, her face buried in her arms, sneakily raised her head to look up at me. It was as if a cat on the desk was staring at me with wide, round eyes.

“Hey.”
“Hmm.”
“Since I’m already exposed, I’ll tell you. It’s an order as a national duty. Don’t act like you know me.”
“Then, should I stay here quietly for two hours?”
“…”
“Wait, wasn’t it our first time meeting?”

We had agreed to cover up and forget about that incident. Technically, our first encounter was in the basement. It was a matter of principle, and frankly, I needed Marronnier’s power right now.

“Our first meeting… That’s true.”

Marronnier seemed convinced. She still had a red face as she slowly reached out her hand, like a cat’s paw.

“Then let’s greet each other again.”
“Lee Si-heon.”
“…Marronnier Blanche. You probably didn’t know, but I’m a national agent.”

Our hands touched gently, and with the soft sensation, we shook hands, applying a slight pressure.

Reestablishing a relationship isn’t a bad thing, if that’s what Marronnier desires.

Of course, I would have no right to object, even if she decided to slap me right now and walk away.

‘Just how far did we go back then?’

I can’t remember much after being struck by that spell. I can vaguely recall what Marronnier said to me, but my memories from that time have since faded away.

Regardless, the choice is ultimately Marronnier’s. With that in mind, I glance at her, and for some reason, she’s staring blankly at our clasped hands.

“Marronnier?”
“……”

Her eyes, with a childlike innocence, fixate on my hand as if in a daze. As I release our handshake, Marronnier retrieves her own hand and looks at it intently. She seems lost in deep thought.

“Huh?”

-Ssss.

“Eh? What?”

Her cheeks flush with heat, and even her ears turn red. Marronnier suddenly shivers and rises from her chair.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Leave me be. Don’t speak to me…”

Why is she suddenly acting like this?
Her reaction was so intense that it caught me off guard. I discreetly stood up from my chair and gazed at Marronnier.

“Does it hurt?”
“…Huh? Uh, yeah! It hurts. Why am I like this all of a sudden?”

In front of Marronnier, who was frantically waving her hands and speaking incoherently, I invoked the power of healing.
The moment I attempted to touch her, Marronnier was visibly startled. I forcibly grasped her hand to channel the healing power, and I felt something obstructing the process midway.

‘Is she healthy?’

The healing power wasn’t having any effect.

Marronnier’s small, pale wrist. Holding it, I tilted my head quizzically and looked up at her.
I didn’t think she was the type to feign sickness or say such things. As I looked at her, Marronnier’s face was flushed, as if she were a bomb about to explode within a game.